Veterans to be honored for their service, sacrifice

Monday is a day for America to honor its veterans, both those who are living and those who are deceased. Veterans Day is celebrated on Nov. 11, which originally was Armistice Day, the day that marked the end of World War I.

Photo illustration by Bill Hand/Sun Journal

By Sue Book, Sun Journal Staff

Published: Sunday, November 10, 2013 at 06:11 PM.

Veterans from as long ago as World War II to those from 21st century military actions in Afghanistan and Iraq will be celebrating — and will be celebrated — locally Monday.

The holiday originally marked the 1918 armistice ending World War I — “the war to end all wars.” Since 1954, it has officially honored all veterans from all military branches, including the Marine Corps, Navy, Army, Air Force, Coast Guard and, most recently, Merchant Marines.

The official day, which was expanded by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to pay homage to all U.S. veterans as Veterans Day, returned in 1978 to the Nov. 11 date of the armistice and the day first proclaimed Armistice Day by President Woodrow Wilson.

A posting on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website said the holiday helps to focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day, which is to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

The Rev. Graham Lane, now 93 and pastor of Trent Free Will Baptist Church in Merritt, was 21 years old when he stepped up to serve.

“I fought in U.S. Army Tank Division 824 as Allied forces freed France,” Lane said Saturday at a luncheon for Pamlico County veterans, where he was one of two World War II vets attending.

“My division fought from Macias to the Rhone Valley,” Lane said. “We got within sight of Germany, but didn’t cross the line.”

Veterans from as long ago as World War II to those from 21st century military actions in Afghanistan and Iraq will be celebrating — and will be celebrated — locally Monday.

The holiday originally marked the 1918 armistice ending World War I — “the war to end all wars.” Since 1954, it has officially honored all veterans from all military branches, including the Marine Corps, Navy, Army, Air Force, Coast Guard and, most recently, Merchant Marines.

The official day, which was expanded by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to pay homage to all U.S. veterans as Veterans Day, returned in 1978 to the Nov. 11 date of the armistice and the day first proclaimed Armistice Day by President Woodrow Wilson.

A posting on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website said the holiday helps to focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day, which is to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

The Rev. Graham Lane, now 93 and pastor of Trent Free Will Baptist Church in Merritt, was 21 years old when he stepped up to serve.

“I fought in U.S. Army Tank Division 824 as Allied forces freed France,” Lane said Saturday at a luncheon for Pamlico County veterans, where he was one of two World War II vets attending.

“My division fought from Macias to the Rhone Valley,” Lane said. “We got within sight of Germany, but didn’t cross the line.”

The other was Bill Smith, 85, of Reelsboro. He was younger and in the Merchant Marines when he joined up with the 11th Airborne of the U.S. Army and spent his part of the war fighting in Japan.

At a Saturday ceremony, which followed Pamlico’s Veterans Day Parade, the Missing Man Ceremony led by Disabled American Veterans Post 200 Commander Wes Robinson also paid tribute to prisoners of war or those missing in action.

With a flag, a rose, a candle of hope, a lemon of bitter fate, an empty chair, a table set for one, and salt representing countless grains of hope, Robinson reminded those attending the event, held since 1979, that the peace they enjoy came through sacrifice of some whose fate is still unknown.

National political leaders continue to weigh in on the contributions of veterans.

Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., ranking member of the Senate committee on Veterans Affairs, co-sponsored and authored some elements of the Helping Homeless Veterans Act of 2013 which passed the Senate Thursday. It aims to help the Department of Veterans Affairs eliminate all veteran homelessness by 2015.

“Our veterans served our country with honor and they should not be forgotten when they return home,” said Burr.

Sen. Kay Hagan, D-N.C., said, “(Monday) is an important opportunity to reflect on and honor the incredible sacrifices of the brave men and women who have served this country in our armed forces.

“We cannot ever repay them for their service, but I am committed to doing everything possible to ensure our service members have a smooth transition back into civilian life and receive the benefits they deserve,” she said, a reason she advocates for permanent extension of tax credits that encourage businesses to hire veterans.

Members of Combat Veterans of America Motorcycle Club from Newport were at the National Cemetery in New Bern on Sunday to plant flags at gravesites of veterans of the Fleet Reserve Association as they have for the last eight years.

The Pilot Club of New Bern will hold its 12th annual Veterans Day Ceremony of Lights Luminary Display Monday at 5 p.m. on Craven County Courthouse steps. It honors all military, living or deceased, with personalized luminaries.

An assortment of businesses are offering free or reduced price good or services to veterans for the day, some including their families, most requiring current military ID or proof of service.

Tryon Palace will also pay tribute with free admission for veterans and active duty military beginning at 9 a.m. Discounted admission is available for immediate family members.